Control means for fuel feed systems



CONTROL MEANS FOR FUEL FEED SYSTEMS Fila@ Jan. L'2cm 1944 z5 i a INVENTOR. cfa/$0 .'gdlea l @ga/WMM 47m/Win51.

Patented Aug. 6, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in control means for fuel feed systems.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a control means for fuel feed systems which may be very accurately adjusted for metering or regulating the flow of fuel to the system controlled.

Second, to provide a lloat controlled valve means Well adapted for fuel control systems Which permits a free flow of fuel when the valve is opened and at the same time is effective to quickly cut off the flow when the fuel reaches a predetermined level.

Third, to provide structures having these advantages in which the parts may be very economically produced and assembled by relatively unskilled Workmen.

Further objects relating to details and economies of the invention Will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is de ned in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of the invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view partially in vertical section of a fuel system control means embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view mainly in vertical section of the metering or regulating valve unit removed from the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation looking from the right of Fig. 2 of the tubular support member of that figure.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the valve casing member of the metering unit.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of this valve casing member.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view mainly in vertical section of the float control inlet valve.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the inlet valve removed from its casing.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated l is a reservoir of suitable capacity to provide a fuel feed chamber 2 which also constitutes a flow chamber. This reservoir l has an upstanding inlet nipple 3 in the bottom thereof into which the valve casing 4 is threaded. This valve casing 4 has a bore-like valve chamber 5 therein adapted to reciprocatingly receive the plunger valve 6.

The valve casing has an inlet passage l communicating with the inlet nipple 3 which is suitably connected to a source of fuel supply not here illustrated. The upper end of this passage constitutes an inlet .port which is preferably provided with a resilient facing 8. The valve member B has a longitudinal passage 9 therein with a lateral inlet port or passage lll opening to the side of the tapered or conical valve Il. It also has a lateral discharge l2 which, when the valve is closed, lies Within or is covered by the Wall of the valve casing. The upper end of the valve casing constitutes an annular valve seat I3. The valve stem I4 is threaded into the upper end of the passage or bore 9, closing the same and securing the valve stem to the valve member.

The resilient or flexible disk valve member l5 is clamped between the shoulder I6 on the stem and the end of the valve member 6 so that when the valve is in closed position the inlet passage 'l is closed and the outlet end of the Valve casing is also closed. The valve stem is provided with a collar ll' having an annular groove iB therein receiving the finger or arm I9 of the float lever 2|] which is pivoted at 2l. The iloat 22 is shown by dotted lines.

With the parts thus arranged the lovv of fuel to the feed chamber is very effectively controlled, and this without the necessity of great accuracy in the forming and assembling of parts inasmuch as the valve seat facing 8 and the resilient valve element I5 Will yield substantially to permit the effective seating of the valves.

It is not only important in fuel feed control systems to effectively control the inlet of fuel but it is also necessary to accurately control or meter the fuel passing from the fuel feed reservoir to the system. To this end I provide the reservoir bottom with an upstanding nipple 23 Which is in communication with the system feed passage 24. The tubular support 25 fits into the nipple 23 and projects through an opening 26 in the top 21 of the reservoir. The tubular valve casing 28 is f1ttingly mounted Within the tubular support, the valve casing being provided with an enlargement 29 at its lower end having segmental portions 30 and 3| fitting the Wall of the tube. The sides of this enlargement are cut oi at 32 providing a passage or by-pass around the enlargement to the interior of the tubular support above this enlargement.

The valve casing has a longitudinal bore 33 therein terminating at its lower end in a port 34 opening to the passage 2li, a conical valve seat 35 being provided above this port 34. The enlargement of the valve casing has a lateral passage 36 opening to the bore of the casing above the valve seat 35 and registering with the inlet port 31 in the tubular support, this inlet opening being substantially below the fluid lever determined by the float controlled inlet valve. The

support member also has vent openings 38 above the float controlled liquid level.

The rod-like valve member 39 has a conical valve 49 formed at the lower end thereof coacting with the conical valve seat 35. A pilot tip 4l on the valve member projects into the port 34. The valve member is laterally guided by the disk 42 seated within the support member above the valve casing, this guide member having a vent opening 43.

A supporting block 44 is mounted in the upper end of the tubular support and threaded to receive the threaded end 45 of the valve member, the set screw 4S being provided for securing the regulating or metering valve in its adjusted posi tion. This set screw projects through a slot 4l in the support 25. It will be noted that the discharge end of the support 25 is vented around the enlargement on the Valve casing through the vent opening in the guide member 42 and through `the vents 38 which open within the reservoir, although the slot 41 might be relied upon as a venting means. The vents 38 are provided, however, so that should the supporting block LM be adjusted to completely cut oif the slot 41 a vent would still be provided to permit proper flow of the fuel to the system.

I have illustrated and described my invention in an embodiment which I have found highly practical. I have not attempted to illustrate various modifications and adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a control means for fuel feed systems and the like, the combination of a reservoir for containing `liquid having an upwardly projecting discharge nipple, a metering outlet control means comprising a tubular support engaged in said nipple and having a lateral inlet in the side thereof opening to said chamber below the liquid level thereof, a tubular valve casing arranged within said tubular support, said valve casing having a segmental enlargement at the lower end thereof supportingly fitting within said tubular support and having a discharge port at its lower end opening to said tubular support and a surrounding conical valve seat above said port, said valve casing having an inlet passage above said valve seat registering with said inlet opening of said tubular support,

a rod-like valve member having a conical valve l coacting with said valve seat, a guide disk for said valve member disposed within said support above said valve casing and having a vent opening at the outside of said valve casing, said valve casing providing a vent passage extending between the same and said tubular support from said vent opening to the interior of the tubular support below the valve casing, said tubular support having a vent opening located above the liquid level of said reservoir, a valve supporting block disposed within said tubular support at the upper end thereof, said valve member having threaded engagement with said block, and a setscrew extending through said supporting block for securing the regulating valve in its adjusted position.

2. In a control means for fuel feed systems and the like, the combination of a reservoir for containing liquid having an upwardly projecting discharge nipple, a metering outlet control means comprising a tubular support engaged in said nipple and having a lateral inlet in the side thereof opening to said chamber below the liquid level thereof, a tubular valve casing arranged within said tubular support, said valve casing having a segmental enlargement at the lower end thereof supportingly fitting within said tubular support and having a discharge port at its lower end opening to said tubular support, said valve casing having an inlet passage above said valve seat registering with said inlet opening of said tubulaisupport, a valve member coacting with said port, said tubular support having a vent opening located above the liquid level of said reservoir, said valve casing providing a vent passage extending lbetween the same and the tubular support from the interior of the tubular support above the valve casing to the interior of the tubular support below the valve casing, and means for adjustably supporting said valve member carried by said support.

3. In a metering valve for fuel feed systems and the like, the combination of a tubular support communicating at its lower end with the system controlled and having a side inlet opening, a tubular valve casing arranged within said tubular support, said valve casing having a segmental enlargement at the lower end thereof supportingly tting within said tubular support and having a discharge port at its lower end and a surrounding conical Valve seat above said port, said valve casing having a lateral inlet passage above its said valve seat registering with said inlet opening of said tubular support, a rodlike valve member having a conical valve coacting with said valve seat, a guide disk for said valve member disposed within said support above said valve casing and having a vent opening at the outside of said valve casing, said valve casing providing a vent passage extending between the same and said tubular support from said vent opening to the interior of the tubular support below the valve casing, said tubular support being vented at the upper end thereof, a valve supporting block disposed within said tubular support at the upper end thereof, said valve member having threaded engagement with said block, and a set screw extending through said supporting block for securing the regulating valve in its adjusted position.

4. In a metering valve for fuel feed systems and the like, the combination of a tubular support communicating at its lower end with the system controlled and having a side inlet opening, a tubular valve casing arranged within said tubular support, said valve casing having a segmental enlargement at the lower end thereof supportingly fitting within said tubular support and having a discharge port at its lower end and a surrounding conical valve seat above said port, said valve casing having a ylateral inlet passage above its said valve seat vregistering with said inlet opening of said tubular support, a rodlike valve member having a conical valve coacting with said Valve seat, said tubular support being vented at the upper end thereof,'said valve casing providing a vent passage extending between the same and the tubular support from the interior of the tubular support above the valve casing to the interior of the tubular support below the valve casing, a valve supporting block disposed within said tubular support at the upper end thereof, said valve member having threaded engagement with said block, and a set screw extending through said supporting block for securing the regulating valve in its adjusted position.

5. In a metering valve for fue] feed systems and the like, the combination of a tubular support communicating at its lower end with the system controlled and having a side inlet opening, a tubular valve casing arranged within said tubular support, said valve casing having a segmental enlargement at the lower end thereof supportingly fitting within said tubular support and having a discharge port at its lower end and a surrounding conical valve seat above said port, said valve casing having a lateral inlet passage above its said valve seat registering with said inlet opening of said tubular support, said valve casing providing a vent passage extending between the same and the tubular support from the interior of the tubular support above the valve casing to the interior of the tubular support below the valve casing, a valve member having a conica1 valve coacting with said valve seat, and means for adjustably supporting said valve member carried by said support.

6. In a metering valve for fuel feed systems and the like, the combination of a tubular support communicating at its lower end with the system controlled and having a side inlet opening, a tubular valve casing arranged within said tubular support, said valve casing being disposed within said tubular support and having a discharge port at its lower end and a lateral inlet passage above its said valve seat registering with said inlet opening of said tubular support, said valve casing having a side passage oommunicating with the interior of said support above and below said valve casing, a valve member having a valve coacting with said port, a guide disk for said valve member disposed within said support above said valve casing and having a vent opening at the outside of said valve casing, said tubular support being vented at the upper end thereof, a valve supporting block disposed within said tubular support at the upper end thereof, said valve member having threaded engagement with said block, and a set screw extending through said supporting block for securing the regulating valve in its adjusted position.

7. In a metering valve for fuel feed systems and the like, the combination of a tubular support communicating at its lower end with the system controlled and having a side inlet opening, a tubular valve casing arranged within said tubular support, said valve casing being disposed within said tubular support and having a discharge port at its lower end and a lateral inletl passage above its said valve seat registering with said inlet opening of said tubular support, said valve casing having a side -passage communicating with the interior of said support above and below said valve casing, a valve member having a valve coacting with said port, said tubular support being vented at the upper end thereof, a valve supporting block disposed within said tubular support at the upper end thereof, said valve member having threaded engagement with said block, and a set-screw extending through said supporting block for securing the regulating valve in its adjusted position.

8. In a metering valve for fuel feed systems and the like, the combination of a tubular support communicating at its lower end with the system controlled and having a side inlet opening, a tubular valve casing arranged within said tubular support, said valve casing being disposed within said tu-bular support and having a discharge port at its lower end and a lateral inlet passage above its said valve seat registering with said inlet opening of said tubular support, said valve casing having a side passage communicating with the interior of said support above and below said casing, a valve member having a valve coacting with said port, and means for adjustably supporting said valve member carried by said support.

' JOHN E. BATES. 

